Case Study: Pin-up Bowling Lanes

Pin-up Bowling Lanes was the world's first pop-up ten pin bowling lanes complete with 4 full size lanes, 110 capacity American Diner offering a delicious array of Americana dishes, a cocktail bar serving jugs of perfectly mixed cocktails and ice cold beer and a music and performance space.

Over the course of 7.5 weeks we hosted a programme of innovative and engaging events. From Norman Jay MBE's killer set on the launch night to weekly Lindy Hop classes, from tee shirt screen printing workshops to vintage fashion shows, from cocktail master classes to film screenings, from classic car rallies to burlesque performances Pin-up was key in helping Spinningfields establish itself as a social destination.

We have been running the very successful Puma Social Campaign across our lifestyle business, and the whole campaign celebrates the After Hours Athlete. Those people that compete at night with friends usually over a beer, playing pool, table tennis, foosball or ten pin bowling. We like to communicate our campaigns through social media and events, so when we were approached by Pin-up Bowling we jumped at the chance to bring a Puma Social place to Manchester, and collaborate with Pin-up. The result was a pop up retro bowling alley event that brought the essence of Puma Social to life in a unique, exciting and memorable way for 7 and a half weeks in Manchester.

— Roger Harrison, Marketing Director, Puma UK

Pin-up was a great success and a brilliant attraction that increased footfall into Spinningfields and kept people coming back. We’ve had a fantastic response from both the public and our commercial tenants.

— Fran Goddard, Head of Communications and Events, Spinningfields.

Pin-up was a response to an open brief set by my event team. Pin-up, a pop-up 1950’S ten pin bowling venue with bar, diner and music, ranfor an 7 and a half weeks in the heart of Spinningfields in Manchester.

The operation was superbly executed and was a huge success bringing in customers from all walks of life, and appealing to both leisure and corporate markets, and became quite a scene, in particular for repeat visits.

Above all the management and execution followed the vision, and for the entire period of operation the event got better and better.

— Michael Ingall MRICS, Hon FRIBA, Chief Executive, Allied London

As the operator of 3 sites in the Spinningfields area the addition of the Pin Up was a welcome stimulus to increasing foot flow and atmosphere to the area. It was an immediate success and literally drew thousands of people to Hardman square.

The pop-up Pin-up event exceeded all of our expectations - in its innovation; the quality of the environment; the diversity of themed events within its run (car shows, fashion shows, film screenings, dancing, fancy dress to name a few); and its overall creativity.

— James Murdoch, Events Manager, Spinningfields.

Just walked into @Pinupbowling - all I can say is awesome!

— Twitter: Francurotto

“Pin-up’s classic car show event, that saw Hardman Square and adjoining avenues fill up with beautiful cars and motorbikes from the Fifties and Sixties, was a huge success. Footfall increased dramatically for a Sunday and the atmosphere was electric. Retailers all reported a marked uptake in sales.” Kelly Briggs, Marketing Co-ordinator, Spinningfields.